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Topic starter
21/10/2025 12:17 pm
In 1964, it was about the end of an era when full size cars still ruler the track and the strip. I was also the high point of my interest in NASCAR when it was actually about the cars as well as the drivers. In 1963, a NASCAR ready "scat back" roof line was available on the Fords and Mercurys. For Mercury, it became badged as the Marauder. The full blown 427 powered car was known as the S55 and the following year, with what I considered a beautiful face lift, got a much cooler name: the Super Marauder 427 R-Code FE 427. The R code, with 2X4bbl carbs was rated at 425 HP, and, with only 42 built, it barely provided homologation numbers for NASCAR. I was obsessed with that car which I dreamed I could have in Park Lane trim. It was another car that I drew all over my school note books as I graduated high school that year (aided by classic "senioritis" LOL). A friend I worked nights with, told me his daytime boss, who owned a Lincoln-Mercury had special ordered one and I was consumed with jealousy. Decades later, I bought 2 1/25 plastic 3 in 1 plastic kits which sat around in the "will get to it" pile when Road Signature released this 1/18 model. It is a cheapo model with good bones and, frankly, I was disappointed it was done in white rather than the period metallics that I would have rather had. I got out my official 1964 Mercury catalog and with paint, BMF, metal tape (for the wheel well trim and door sills} and washes and dry brushing especially for the wheel covers, I did my best to make it look real. It was rereleased later in rather bland light blue and red, which still didn't do the car justice. This would have been nice:
Here's the model:
21/10/2025 1:13 pm
Imagine what the car you describe would be worth today!
Christopher Moroni reacted
21/10/2025 1:35 pm
...it's a GREAT car (you have good taste! ) and a decent model - with lots of trunk space! 😀 😎 😀
Topic starter
21/10/2025 2:38 pm
@jack-dodds Well, there were only 9 of the 42 with the Park Lane package with only 3 known to exist. One sold at Mecum in 2010 for $100,000 and none that I could find since. There's a video of a black one on YouTube...
David Green and Christopher Moroni reacted
Topic starter
21/10/2025 2:39 pm
@chris You and your trunks... LOL.
Marty Johnson and Christopher Moroni reacted
21/10/2025 7:20 pm
I remember when the 1963 1/2 Fords were introduced, that roof was called a fastback. I thought the convertible top frame rail notched into it was pretty cool, too.
Jack Dodds and Christopher Moroni reacted
21/10/2025 7:59 pm
@marty-johnson Yes it was, and Ford & Mercury also offered "textured options" to further advance the illusion of a convertible top.
To their credit, Yat Ming actually reproduced this textured faux convertible look on this '64 Parklane. Look closely and you'll see that the roof is not glossy white, but rather a flat, textured off-white.
Nice touch Yat Ming, nice touch! 😎 😎
Marty Johnson and Rich Sufficool reacted
Topic starter
21/10/2025 8:11 pm
@chris Uuuuh...yeah, I'll pass. LOL This trunk obsession may require professional help. It just doesn't seem healthy. And, where's the jack parts, Mr Trunk?
Jack Dodds and Christopher Moroni reacted
21/10/2025 9:21 pm
@rich-sufficool ... yeah, well, I don't do much that's healthy. 🙄 🙄
As for all the proper 1964 Mercury trunk details - well, everything inside that trunk is really a place-holder until I fabricate more authentic pieces - including the placement of those hinges.
I doubt I spent more than 2.5 hours on that entire project, just to see if I could do it "cleanly," then it was put on the shelf and hasn't been touched since. I'm so lazy. 😔 😔 😔
You'll laugh, but what's REALLY bugging me now is the OH-SO-WRONG sealed hood scope on The Famer's '63 Tempest. 😬 😬 😬 Seems like an EZ fix, right? 🤔
Rich Sufficool reacted